What does it mean to have a form of godliness but deny its power?

The phrase "having a form of godliness but denying its power" comes from the Apostle Paul's second letter to Timothy. In 2 Timothy 3:5, Paul warns Timothy about people who will exhibit this characteristic in the last days. To fully comprehend this concept, it's essential to explore the context, the meaning of "form of godliness," the nature of its "power," and how this applies to spiritual growth in the life of a believer.

Paul writes to Timothy, saying, "But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people" (2 Timothy 3:1-5, NIV).

Context and Meaning

The phrase "form of godliness" refers to an outward appearance or semblance of religious piety and devotion. These individuals may engage in religious activities, attend church services, and even speak the language of faith. However, this external display is superficial. It is a façade that masks an internal reality that is far removed from true godliness.

The "power" that is denied refers to the transformative power of the Holy Spirit and the authentic, life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ. This power is what enables believers to live godly lives, characterized by the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and a genuine love for God and others.

The Nature of True Godliness

True godliness is not merely about external behaviors or rituals. It is about a heart that is fully surrendered to God and a life that is continually being transformed by His Spirit. Jesus criticized the Pharisees for their hypocrisy, saying, "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean" (Matthew 23:25-26, NIV).

The Pharisees had a form of godliness; they were meticulous in their religious observances. However, their hearts were far from God. They denied the power of true godliness, which is the inner transformation that comes from a genuine relationship with God.

The Transformative Power of the Gospel

The power of godliness is found in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul writes in Romans 1:16, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes." The gospel is not just a message to be believed intellectually; it is a power that transforms lives. When a person truly believes the gospel, it results in a radical change in their life. They are "born again" (John 3:3), becoming a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).

This transformation is not something that can be manufactured by human effort. It is the work of the Holy Spirit. Paul explains in Titus 3:5-6, "He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior."

Evidence of True Godliness

True godliness is evidenced by a life that bears the fruit of the Spirit. In Galatians 5:22-23, Paul lists these fruits: "love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." These are the qualities that characterize a person who is living in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Moreover, true godliness is marked by a love for God and others. Jesus said that the greatest commandments are to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" and to "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:37-39, NIV). A person who has a form of godliness but denies its power may go through the motions of religious activity, but their life will lack the genuine love and transformation that comes from a true relationship with God.

The Danger of Hypocrisy

One of the dangers of having a form of godliness but denying its power is that it can lead to hypocrisy. Hypocrisy is when there is a discrepancy between one's outward appearance and inward reality. Jesus warned against this in Matthew 6:1, saying, "Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven."

Hypocrisy not only deceives others but also deceives oneself. James 1:22 warns, "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." A person who hears the word of God but does not put it into practice is like someone who looks in a mirror and immediately forgets what they look like (James 1:23-24). True godliness involves both hearing and doing the word of God.

Application to Spiritual Growth

For a believer, spiritual growth involves moving beyond a mere form of godliness to experiencing its true power. This requires a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ and a continual reliance on the Holy Spirit. It involves daily surrendering one's life to God, allowing His Spirit to transform and renew the mind (Romans 12:2).

Spiritual growth also involves practicing spiritual disciplines such as prayer, reading and meditating on Scripture, worship, and fellowship with other believers. These disciplines are not ends in themselves but means through which we encounter God and allow His Spirit to work in our lives.

Furthermore, spiritual growth is evidenced by a life that increasingly reflects the character of Christ. Paul writes in Philippians 2:12-13, "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose." This means that while we are called to actively pursue godliness, it is ultimately God who works in us to bring about true transformation.

Conclusion

In summary, having a form of godliness but denying its power is a condition where one outwardly appears religious but lacks the inner transformation and genuine relationship with God that characterizes true godliness. This condition is marked by hypocrisy and self-deception. True godliness, on the other hand, is evidenced by a life that is continually being transformed by the Holy Spirit, bearing the fruit of the Spirit, and marked by genuine love for God and others.

For believers, spiritual growth involves moving beyond mere external religious observance to experiencing the transformative power of the gospel in every area of life. It requires a daily surrender to God, a reliance on the Holy Spirit, and a commitment to practicing spiritual disciplines. As we do so, we will increasingly reflect the character of Christ and live lives that bring glory to God.